Scaling Climate Finance For Locally-led Adaptation: Lessons From The Global South
As the frequency and impacts of climate events increase, the demand for local-level adaptation becomes urgent. The adaptation finance received by developing and least developed countries is estimated at less than USD 25 billion per year, which is far less than the required USD 215 billion per year. Further, the evidence indicates that less than […]
Why disaster risk financing must evolve to meet the climate crisis
As the climate crisis accelerates, our approach to disaster risk financing must evolve. Traditional models are no longer enough, and we need systems that are faster, fairer, and more flexible to meet the growing challenges. Read my thought piece in the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR)’s DRR Community Voices series, which offers […]
Flowing Forward with Circular Cities
Reimagining Water as the Catalyst for Climate-Resilient Urban Systems In a world where climate extremes are intensifying, water is emerging as both a frontline casualty and a powerful lever for resilience. Urban systems—already strained by water scarcity, mounting waste, and rising energy demands—must now do more with less. The solution lies in the water-waste-energy nexus, […]
Empowering a resilient future through innovative climate financing
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18593780 Water and Climate Leader @ Green Climate Fund | Strategic Investment Partnerships and Co-Investments| Professor| EW4ALL| Board Member| Chair- CODATA TG February 5, 2026 Climate-related hazards are increasing in frequency and severity, threatening decades of development gains. Last year alone, extreme floods, storms, and droughts caused hundreds of billions in economic losses worldwide and […]
Tipping Point Earth: Climate Cascades and the Urgency of Adaptation in 2025
In 2025, the planet’s climate system is flashing red. Global temperatures from January to August averaged 1.42?°C above pre-industrial levels, making 2025 likely the second- or third-warmest year on record. Ocean heat content reached a new peak in 2024 and continues to rise, with over 90% of excess heat from global warming absorbed by the […]
Ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au” – I am the river, and the river is me
Indigenous communities in New Zealand and Brazil offer powerful models of water stewardship rooted in cultural reverence and ecological responsibility. The M?ori of Aotearoa treat water as a living ancestor, guided by the principle of Te Mana o te Wai, which prioritises the health of water above all other uses. This philosophy was embedded in […]
Climate Change, Intra-Migration and the Future of Resilient Cities
Climate change is increasingly driving intra-migration toward urban centres, especially in vulnerable regions. Cities must prepare for rising pressures on housing, services, and governance systems to protect vulnerable populations and ensure sustainable urban development. Data-driven planning and cross-sector coordination are essential to anticipate future migration trends and build adaptive, equitable urban systems. We are working […]
Social Protection as a Catalyst for Climate Resilience
Though separated by geography, ecosystems, and biodiversity, #Brazil, #Zimbabwe, and #Vanuatu share a story of climate vulnerability. But more importantly, they tell a story of resilience and innovation, one that puts the protection of people at the heart of climate action. Social protection is not a new solution. For decades, it has been a cornerstone […]
Multi-Year El Niño Events Increasingly Threaten Global Communities
A study published in Nature Geoscience has revealed that multi-year El Niño events have become five times more frequent over the past 7,000 years. By analyzing fossil coral data and using advanced climate models, researchers discovered that these events, which now last for two or more years, have evolved from occurring every 3.5 years to […]
Building an Ecological Civilization for a Sustainable Future
Ecological civilization is rooted in recognising that humanity is an integral part of nature, not its master. It calls for harmony between human development and the natural world, ensuring that economic prosperity does not come at the expense of environmental degradation. It envisions a circular economy where waste is minimized, renewable energy is the norm, […]